H. Maxse. A Flute solo, by A. J. C. Ross, gave unqualified satisfaction, although it is a question whether an original flute composition would not have been more suitable than an arrangement of a well known pianoforte solo of Beethoven. Ross gets a capital tone from his instrument, and plays with considerable taste. H. S. Tyssen contributed a cornet solo, but nervousness prevented his doing himself justice. The songs were 'The Owl,' sung by J. M. Harvey in good voice, and with due rendering of the words, which gained him an enthusiastic encore; and Silvia sleeps,' sung neatly by T. G. Buchanan. The scene from Henry IV was not the success it was on the previous occasion it was presented to a Penny Reading audience. C. S. Preston's" Justice Shallow' had much merit, but it was spoilt by the amount of sotto voce employed. Evening dress handicaps the scenes' heavily. The choir was a good one, and the parts were evenly balanced. The selections were 'Ride a cock horse,' a difficult modulatory part song by Macirone which went fairly; Bishop's "Foresters, sound the cheerful horn;" which calls for no particular comment, except to shew what music our forefathers enjoyed. It is tuneful, and easily understood. The third Chorus was Faning's "Song of the Vikings," which was given with such 'go' that a tumultuous encore was accorded. The conducting of C. S. Preston left nothing to be desired, every point being notified and the beating being well defined. He must certainly be classed among our best penny reading conductors. Webber proved invaluable at the piano in the accompaniments, and J. M. Harvey, in order it may be supposed to make the Reading' portion of the title page true if the Penny" is not, read Dickens' " David Copperfield and the Waiter" with much humour. The entertainment was the shortest on record, being over by ten minutes after 10, and "God save the Queen," minus the symphony in the middle, concluded a successful evening. Programme appended.

1. Pianoforte Quartett" Auffworderung zum Tanz"... Weber.
H. Kitto, C. S. Preston, A Webber, R. E. H. Maxse.
Glee............... "Ride a cock horse" ......C. A. Macirone.
The Choir.

2.

F. A. Aglen, E. C. Dobie, W. I. Rowell, W. P. Barber, H. M. Fletcher, J. A. Bliss, H. W. Yeates, M. A. Ainslie, W. A. Eaton, E. H. Hickman, A. C. S. Olivier, T. G. Buchanan, J. E. Alston, J. S. Risley, S. H. Clark, J. M. Harvey, S. J. Mavrogordato, J. P. Cheales, R. N. Dundas, H. Woolner G. S. Back.

The Rifle Corps.

The military year-as far as we are concernedhas nearly reached to a close. The struggle περὶ τῶν ἀριστείων has still to be faced upon the trying field of Wimbledon, but the majority of us will soon get our temporary discharge from active duty. Most have worked worthily and well; if any are conscious of deficiency, let them henceforth resolve to rival their brothers in arms.

Drills this term have been fairly attended. On Saturday evenings especially goodly numbers have rallied to the bugle call, to learn the elements of guard mounting, or go through an hour's sharp company drill.

The past week saw us on active service. On the 23rd Lt. Col. Luce, commanding 2nd Wilts R.V.C., paid a visit of inspection; all too hurried, for the S.M. & A. Railway, not being under the military authorities, failed to realize the need of punctuality. After the general salute and march past there was little time for further movements, but, saving for one mistake, when someone blundered' the display was creditable enough. Col. Luce afterwards expressed his approval in a warm and very kindly letter, which is to be found in the Armoury, and will be preserved among the regimental archives.'

Saturday, June 28th, was scarcely the day on which a careful general would have pushed his troops to the front, except on urgent necessity. But marching orders had come; transport was called and up; with the never failing resource of acting QuarterMaster Duck, horses and vehicles were found in plenty when the column started. Pushing along the Grand Trunk Road through Oude may have been hot work; the Germans found campaigning serious

toil that sweltering July of 1870, even before they heard the boom of a French gun; but the M.C.R.V.C. discovered that tight belts, closely fastened collars, and a scorching dusty road gave them some idea of field services in a tropical summer. But the steeds seemed to feel the importance of the crisis, and rattled us well through wondering villages, till a short halt was called on the downs beyond Beckhampton. There we broke up our one large company into two, gave the guides and markers a few hints, enbraked again, and hurried on without accident to the gates of Roundway Park. When at last we found the way to the parade ground, after unintentionally marching our serried ranks close under the windows and over the lawn of the house itself, we were ordered to form the right of the line, which was composed besides of four companies of the 2nd Wilts, the whole under command of Major Merriman. No time was lost; a short sharp drill was announced by the commanding officer; short and sharp it was, and very fairly smart. Markers and guides did their best, and considering how small has been the experience of most, their work was very good. The rank and file stood to it like men, though there was too much inclination to forget that silence is more than half a soldier's duty. The parade over, headed by the bands, the battalion marched into the Market Place of Devizes, and soon all differences of rank were forgotten in the assault made upon the ample meal spread in the large room of the Bear Hotel. A long discussion of the food, a short discussion of the military state of the public with many regrets for the impending retirement of most familiar and devoted comrades, brought seven o'clock. The bugle sounded once -and note that than our present bugler præstantior alter are ciere viros ; the column fell in quietly, and marched to the outskirts of the town, led by the most energetic of bands. The drive home in the cool of the evening, past Silbury Hill, whence more than " forty centuries looked down upon us," and the march into Court terminated not the least successful day that the Rifle Corps has known.

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The shooting VIII has so far shown a good record; all matches but two have been won, with very fair scores. We wish them, though without rash confidence, success in the great effort that is yet to come. The kind present of J. A. Bourdillon, Esq., must not be forgotten, a Snider Rifle almost new,

This match was shot on June 7th, and resulted in a victory for the visitors by 28 points. As we were shooting nine a side this is not such an overwhelming defeat as it appears at first sight. The shooting on both sides was very good at the short range considering the bad weather, as it was raining hard the whole time, and when we got back to the 500 yards, it was almost impossible to distinguish the target from the side of the hill. But even this did not seem to have any effect on the shooting of Lieut. Sankey who had evidently not forgotten the range on which he was accustomed to shoot about 20 years ago. We take this opportunity of thanking him very sincerely for the trouble he must have taken to get the team together, and we hope to be able to shoot against the Inns of Court every year for the future. 200 yds. 4554414-30

L.-Corpl. Cheke
Privt. James...
Corpl. DeJersey....
Sergt. Thynne......
L.-Corpl. Hulbert
Privt. Browne......
Lieut. Manton

Corpl. Hussey..
Priv. McInnes............

L.-Corp. Keating Lieut. Sankey........ Corp. Bradford Corp. Blackburn.... L.-Corpl. Logan Priv. Gayer.

Corpl. Mortimer... Privt. Robinson Privt. Goddard

500 yds. Tot. 2305322-17 47

4244430-21

5332545-27 48

M.C.R.V.C. v. ROSSALL.

35

193 433

This return match was shot on June 21st, and was much closer than the first match, as we won by six points only. At Rossall there was a strong wind from the right front, increasing slightly at 500 yards, though the weather was fine and the light good. We had a strong left wind with a glaring sun. The shooting all round was very good, especially that of Pte. Eadon, who made 30 at each range.

ON Thursday, June 19th, the novel experiment was tried of exhihiting, in the Reading Room, a few of the most interesting and beautiful objects to be seen under the microscope. Eleven microscopes in all were collected, several kindly lent by members of the Common Room, and at each was a duly qualified expounder of its mysteries. Mr. Mullins and Mr. Durrant kindly took part in this, the former showing the circulation in Characes and specimens of the Sun-animalcule, the latter with his binocular instrument, exhibiting by condensed light, some excellent foraminiferous shells, such as are found in chalk, and Mr. Hart-Smith showed some crystals of great beauty under the polariscope. J. M. Harvey was very successful in showing specimens of the minute Alga, Volvox globator, and C. H. Roberts had some good slides of diatoms which he carefully explained. W. H. Sharp managed to keep in good humour some living specimens of Stephanoceros Eichhornii or the Crown Rotifer, and besides these H. W. Edwards, F. N. Ellis, C. G. Spencer, and B. C. Waterfield, all largely contributed to the success of the evening by showing specimens of Blood Corpuscles, of Vorticellidæ, of Cyclops, and of Hydra vulgaris. By each instrument were placed small diagrams and a brief description of the object shown. Several of the living creatures had been supplied by Mr. Bolton, of Birmingham, others collected in the neighbourhood by members of the Section. Proceedings opened with a short address by Mr. Hart-Smith, on some points of common interest in the construction of the microscope and the use and nature of polarised light; and before

breaking up the President spoke a few words of thanks to all who had assisted in the exhibition. There were present: about 50 members and friends.

Art Society.

On June 26th, before an audience of sixty-eight, including fourteen visitors, G. W. Rundall, Esq., read a paper upon "Feudal Fortresses," giving a sketch of the feudal state of Society and the importance of castles both as strongholds of independent barons and as royal checks upon their power. The best examples of castles were to be found in France, where feudalism took a firmer hold than in England, but the history of English castles was none the less interesting in itself. On the Saxon burhs with their motte and base-court were planted, chiefly in the time of William the Conqueror, the shell keeps of the Normans; newer and stranger sites rose rectangular keeps. The plan of a Norman fortress, with its moat, barbican, flanking towers, curtain wall, courtyard, and central keep, was made very clear both by the lucid exposition of the lecturer, and the admirable drawings and plans, the work of the Rev. W. J. F. V. Baker, J. A. Lloyd, Esq., and Mr. Baverstock. Some of these were enlarged from drawings taken by the lecturer himself at the British Museum. After Henry II. fewer castles were built, until we came to the concentric castles designed and carried out by Edward I. to hold Wales after his conquest. Instead of the passive resistance of the old, immensely massive keep, we find the concentric Castle has two or three lines of defence and a much better arrangement of flanking towers; instead of the open court there is a large gate-house with bastions. The lecturer then described the ground plan of Harlech and finished with a vivid description of the various methods of attack and defence in medieval warfare.

THE CHELTENHAM MATCH.

Ir did not rain at Henley this year, so we might have hoped for once for exemption at Cheltenham; but the weather was more conservative there, and the customary stampedes of the umbrellaless took place at short intervals on both days. At first, however, the clouds held up, and thanks to the non-arrival of the umpires at the proper time we saw the match begun on an excellent wicket. Cheales went on at the Chapel end and Sale at the other, and Hamilton (left-hand) was in with Robinson. Hamilton had got a four between square-leg and long-on when he was 1.b.w. to Cheales-9, 1, 6,-and Robinson, after cutting Sale for four was well caught by Firth. An off drive by Heath from Cheales, followed by a two off Sale, brought on Bere, vice the latter bowler, and next over Cheales changed ends with him. Heath hit Bere square for four, and Champain cut him for four to the trees; another fast snick through the slips was minimised to one by a splendid bit of fielding by Padwick. Then Keeling stopped several very hot ones at cover. This punishment brought on Sale again, and Champain cut him late for three and drove him for ditto, bringing 50 up. Heath then cut Cheales for four, and a double change was

PRICE 6d.

made, Bere relieving Sale and Meyrick-Jones bowling from the other end. A full pitch from the latter was sent for a two, and then Heath ricked his knee, and retired after an admirable 31, containing two fours and two threes. It was a terrible misfortune for Cheltenham, and augments our admiration of the subsequent scoring. Jackson's career was like the bubble on the river-62, 3, 0. Chaine had now a chance, though it was to leg, of stumping Champain, who was soon after missed by Buchanan off Bere; he then drove Bere to the on for five finely. Cheales and Keeling now took up the bowling, and Pierson hit Cheales to the off for four. Champain, too, was so busy with either bowler that Sale superseded Keeling, a change which proved effective, as Meyrick-Jones took him from a snick for a freely hit though lucky 44. Pierson now hit a ball of Cheales' high up to Firth, who misjudged it, and some slow cricket preceded lunch. Immediately after it Blair was out-118, 5, 12-and as Rennie quickly followed suit the innings seemed drawing to a close. But Glass at once began hitting, and had made two fours off Sale, while Pierson had made one off Cheales, when the latter was run out by a very smart bit of fielding by Meyrick-150, 7, 33. After a shower Glass was caught by Keeling for a free 23. Another and still

more disastrous stand was then made by Ferguson and Lutyens; the latter should have been run out, the ball being excellently thrown in by Padwick, but Chaine badly missed him. It was a fatal mischance. All sorts of changes were resorted to, but all proved ineffective, and though we thought both Sheppard and the captain should have tried their luck, we doubt whether it would have mended matters. Ferguson hit Bere tremendously hard to the pavilion. Then, in one over, MeyrickJones was hit for 11, including a 5 to the off by Ferguson, which an overthrow made 6. The next over produced 6 off Keeling, Padwick's fielding saving an additional couple. Cheales went on again, but the parting was finally secured by Sale. Ferguson had made 6 fours and 3 threes, and the last wicket had produced 64 runs!

Ferguson began bowling from the far end, fastish round hand, which did not seem very difficult; Lutyens, medium round, from the chapel. Cheales opened well with a 3 to leg off Ferguson, and a late cut off Lutyens for 2. But Meyrick was quite beaten by one ball of Ferguson's, and put up the next in the slips by a bad stroke, which we have seen him make too often of late. After Buchanan had been badly missed by Lutyens off his own bowling, he cut Blair (slow round), who had displaced Lutyens, for 3. Cheales imitated him, and then made a grand leg hit for 5. Each then got a 3 to the off from Blair, but ran one short, and the next ball Cheales snicked for 2. Four balls yielded 10 runs, but Cheales, after sending a hard chance to long on, when he had got 44, was well stumped, after an admirable display of offensive and defensive cricket. Firth appeared, and an appeal for 1.b.w. was disallowed. Singles ruled till Padwick appeared and hit 3 fours in succession, bringing up 70. Lutyens took Blair's end, but the batsmen played out time. Next morning, Padwick hit a square 3 off Blair, but lost Buchanan, who, but for his chance, had played a good and useful innings. Cover saved a hard hit of Padwick's, but the next one got past him for 4. Then Padwick was caught from a hard hit in the same direction. He had hit well and freely. Keeling was now in, stopping over after over with great patience. The bowling, however, was palpably harder than on the previous day, the ground kicking a good deal, and he was almost beaten more than once. So was Meyrick-Jones, and when he retired, no one else could stay with Keeling.

Sheppard seemed likely to do so, but executed a most inopportune pas de seul, which will always remain the mystery of the match. Chaine tried to pull one. Sale played crookedly, after being nearly stumped, and Bere's wicket was shattered almost as soon as assailed. Keeling's not out was a most creditable innings. He had kept up his wicket when to do so was his first duty. Ferguson had taken eight wickets for 49 runs-a very fine performance.

Keeling and Cheales began our second innings, Ferguson and Lutyens bowling. Keeling despatched Lutyens finely to leg for 4, and Cheales cut him still more finely for ditto, following this stroke by an on drive for 3 off Lutyens, and off ditto off Ferguson. A cut for 4 by Keeling made the bowler change ends, and Keeling then sent one hard into short slip's middle, where it stuck. 37.1.16. He had played equally steadily and with more freedom than in his first essay. After an off drive for 3 by Cheales, Meyrick was given out 1.b.w. Then Cheales made the first of two bad blunders, in running out Buchanan. It was an impossible run. Padwick began well, playing for a time steadily, and then hitting in his best form. He had just made a magnificent 5 all along the ground to the chapel, when Cheales ran him out, not quite so badly as he did Buchanan, for he slipped, but still by bad judgment. 66.4.9. Then lunch came, and amid pouring rain after it, we left the ground, thinking it most unlikely we should save the innings. The rest we report from hearsay. The fine stand made by the latter wickets brought on Robinson's lobs, and most effective they proved, as he got 5 wickets for 41 runs. But if his bowling was good, the batting of Firth and MeyrickJones was better. Firth only made 5 singles in his 36, and Meyrick-Jones only eight. The latter scored 10 off one over, and hit 5 fours and 3 threes in his 38. They put on 55 during their partnership. Firth was brilliantly caught by Robinson.

Cheltenham went in with only 63 to make, but some of our XI. must have remembered a second innings of the same school in '79, which produced only 26, and another in '82 of 58, and when Sale, by splendid bowling, upset two wickets with two balls a win was quite possible, quum, to become classical for a moment, “diu anceps fuisset certamen et nostris, quia præter spem resisterent crevissent animi, hostis quia non vicisset pro victo esset." But, alas! Robinson was let off at the wicket, and when Cheales dis